The Black Prism: Book One of Lightbringer

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals. But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

Free the Darkness: King's Dark Tidings, Book 1

Raised and trained in seclusion at a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilds of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior called Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outworld when a terrible battle destroys all that he knows. With no understanding of his life's purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bestowed upon him by a dead king, Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence.

Cephrael's Hand: A Pattern of Shadow and Light, Book 1

In Alorin...300 years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor's brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D'Lacourte's mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he'll have to find him....

Crimes Against Magic: The Hellequin Chronicles, Book 1

How do you keep the people you care about safe from enemies you can't remember? Ten years ago, Nate Garrett awoke on a cold warehouse floor with no memory of his past and the only clues to his identity were a piece of paper with his name on it and a propensity toward magic. Now he's a powerful sorcerer and a successful thief for hire, but it turns out that those who stole his memories aren't done with him yet. When they cause a job to go bad, threatening a sixteen-year-old girl, Nate swears to protect her.

Furies of Calderon: The Codex Alera: Book One

For 1000 years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious Lords manoeuvre to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon. Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, young Tavi struggles with his lack of fury crafting.

Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection

Welcome to New York Times and Sunday Times best seller Brandon Sanderson's first collection of short fiction. These wonderful works, originally published individually, have been collected for the first time and convey the true expanse of the Cosmere.

The Emperor's Blades: Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1

In The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley, the emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.

Nightlord: Sunset

Eric didn't ask to be a vampire. In fact he didn't even believe in them. Biting your own tongue with your fangs does a lot of convincing. Even so, being a part-time undead isn't as easy as you might think. It can let you hold down a day job, true, but sometimes the night "life" can be more than a little difficult, what with those bloodthirsty urges and predatory instincts kicking in.

Dawn of Wonder: The Wakening, Book 1

When a high-ranking officer gallops into the quiet Mistyvales, he brings a warning that shakes the countryfolk to their roots. But for Aedan, a scruffy young adventurer with veins full of fire and a head full of ideas, this officer is not what he seems. The events that follow propel Aedan on a journey that only the foolhardy or desperate would risk, leading him to the gates of the nation's royal academy - a whole world of secrets in itself. But this is only the beginning of his discoveries.

The Waking Fire: Book One of Draconis Memoria

The new star of British fantasy returns with The Waking Fire, book one of the Draconis Memoria series, a thrilling new epic fantasy of exploration and adventure, spies and assassins, explosive magic and the battle for empire. For decades the lands of the Ironship Syndicate have been defended by the 'blood blessed' - men and women able to channel the powers contained in the potent blood of wild drakes. Elite spies and assassins, their loyalty has established the Syndicate's position as the greatest power in the known world. Yet now a crisis looms.

Battlemage

"I can command storms, summon fire, and unmake stone. Animals have nothing interesting to say, and no one can see the future because it has not been written," growled Balfruss. "It's dangerous to meddle with things you don't understand." When you fight magic with magic, nothing is certain. Balfruss is a battlemage, one of a vanishing breed, sworn to fight and die for a country that fears and despises him.

The Way of Kings: The Stormlight Archive

According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms, but the Voidbringers followed. The Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, the Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won (or so the legends say).

The Shadow of What Was Lost: The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1

It has been 20 years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs - once thought of almost as gods - were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets.

Thornbear: Champions of the Dawning Dragons, Book 1

Gram lives in the long shadow cast by his father, the latehero, Dorian Thornbear. Struggling to find his place in a world where politics and wizardry appear to have replaced the need for men of might and main, he must make his own mark. Trapped within the seemingly safe confines of Castle Cameron, Gram faces both love and tragedy. His choices will define not only himself, but serve to remind others of his family's legacy, and the reason only a fool threatens those a Thornbear protects.

The Painted Man (The Demon Cycle, Book 1)

The stunning debut fantasy novel from author Peter V. Brett. The Painted Man, book one of the Demon Cycle, is a captivating and thrilling fantasy adventure, pulling the reader into a world of demons, darkness and heroes. Voted one of the top ten fantasy novels of 2008 by amazon.co.uk. Sometimes there is very good reason to be afraid of the dark...Eleven-year-old Arlen lives with his parents on their small farmstead, half a day's ride from the isolated hamlet of Tibbet's Brook.

Warbreaker

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters ,Vivienna and Siri, who happen to be princesses. Theirs is a world where those who die in glory return as immortal gods; a world transformed by BioChromatic magic, a power based on an essence known as breath. By using breath and drawing upon the colour in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be performed.

Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills. Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners.

Starship's Mage Omnibus: Starship's Mage Series #1

In a galaxy tied together by the magic of the elite Jump Magi, Damien Montgomery is a newly graduated member of their number. With no family or connections to find a ship, he is forced into service on an interstellar freighter known to be hunted by pirates. When he takes drastic action to save the Blue Jay from their pursuers, he sets in motion a sequence of events beyond his control and attracts enemies on both sides of the law.

Publisher's Summary

The perfect killer has no friends. Only targets. For Durzo Blint, assassination is an art. And he is the city's most accomplished artist, his talents required from alleyway to courtly boudoir. For Azoth, survival is precarious. Something you never take for granted. As a guild rat, he's grown up in the slums, and learned the hard way to judge people quickly - and to take risks. Risks like apprenticing himself to Durzo Blint. But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics - and cultivate a flair for death.

This is the first book I have listened to from the Author. I knew before I started the book that was could have been classified under the Grimdark genre. However, after reading the book i would say it probably just slipped into this genre.

Yes, there is killing - a while it was graphic, it wasn't overly soYes, there is sex - but nothing graphic. Rape is there, but not detailed.Yes, there is torture - but nothing we haven't read alreadyYes, there is a lot of swearing - but that's fairly normal.

The story itself goes at a steady pace. There were times when I got a little confused with what was happening. Maybe this was a downside of the audio version, but there were times when I had to go back a bit to try and work out why we seemed to have skipped time a little.

The main two characters are interesting. They are killers but you are expected to be rooting for them. Life is meaningless, they kill their targets and innocents if needed. I think the body count in this novel is one of the highest in any novels that I have read. You can not go more then a couple of chapters without someone dying.

The beginning of the book is very much setting up the major characters in the book. There is nothing new here - slum kids, bullies, begging to be apprenticed, tragic incident, test. The middle part then explains what a Wetboy is - and the training involved and setting up some plot points for later on. The latter part of the book is the story proper and we see some of the world and politics. While the book does conclude, it is obvious that it's going to be continued within another book.

Some of the world building is a little confusing. There are killers (thugs), assassins and Wetboys. There seem to be many types of magic users. Some magic users can be Wetboys. Some of the titles for these type of people are a little weird. To me a witch is female, but that is not the case here. The term Wetboy is a little daft - why not use assassin - its got more fear to it. Wetboy sounds infantile.

All in all I enjoyed this book. Hopefully the following books will expand on the major characters further and flesh out the world a lot more.

The audiobook was of high quality. While the narrator does vary his voice a little for the characters, it is a little variation. He is not a voice actor. There were some parts where I think it would have benefited from a little longer pause, especially when going from one scene to another.

This had a confusing start. A lot of the story reminded me of the Wheel of Time. Magic swords, the way magic is discribed, even the sailing people. Yet these similarities didn't take away from the story. I like the main characters, I enjoyed the bad guys and the descriptive nature of the whole thing. I just couldn't put my finger in why it's not for me.

Loved it! Action, rogues, mystery, magic and, even romance all mixed in. I had a hard time following the reader at some parts. The reader's voice kinda molded into differnt characters at times, all sounding the same and could have used a few pauses or some such. But overall a fantastic story and loved it very much.

Join Kylar on his way from the gutter to becoming a Wet Boy to the edge of death, beyond and back. Full of twists and turns, many of which are predictable but no less enjoyable. As always the narration by Paul Boemer is excellent and his grasp of accents brilliant. I loved reading these books and lost nothing in the audio version.

I'd listened to Assassin's Quest with this narrator, and he nearly ruined it for me. He wasn't as bad in this one. I'd recommend listening to the preview to see whether you like his style.

Enjoyed the story quite a lot. It didn't feel original, with a kid who shows potential learning to become a master, but was a lot of fun. Also, some of the characterisation was at least borderline offensive. I'll probably carry on with the series on paper, but I'm not desperate to.

This is my first venture into this type of audiobook, but thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is intricate and requires concentration - but the effort is extremely rewarding. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Likes it alot but I didn't like the guys voice has a lot potential too be better than it is though

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

James

21/09/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A great debut novel"

Way of Shadows is a great debut novel by Brent Weeks, and brilliantly narrated by Paul Boehmer. Readers of Brandon Sanderson and Peter V. Brett should love the Way of Shadows.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A User

18/02/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Absolutely brilliant!"

Any additional comments?

What a brilliant book, one of the best I have listened to. Extremely well written with non-stop action. There are only a few passages which seem to drag a little, but remember this is a 20 hour book. The story and the characters are engaging. The narrator is fantastic. The only problem is this is book 1 of a trilogy and the other 2 books are not on Audible yet. Please Audible get the rest of the series real soon, I can't wait!!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

McWolfe

Sweden

24/01/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Decent Fantasy-Intrigue"

If you could sum up The Way of Shadows: Night Angel Trilogy, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Complex, Dramatic, Gripping

What did you like best about this story?

The personal development of the characters, and the rather complex wheel-within-wheels-plot

Any additional comments?

While it was a good book, at times I lost track because of all the different characters in the story. The highlights of the book is when it focuses on the main characters.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Frode

27/06/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Paul Boehmer destroyed my books!"

How could the performance have been better?

Paul Boehmer - I am not a fan of yours. Sorry, i could never ever listen to the books because of you! That is how AWFULL his "accent" is! I am sorry, but i can never ever finish a book with Paul Boehmer in my ears. So i am happy Audible have a return police!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Justin

Sydney, Australia

07/10/11

Overall

Performance

Story

"The Book that has everything. AMAZING!!!!"

I would love to get more of Brent Weeks works he is one of the best out there.

2 of 5 people found this review helpful

Michael

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

03/04/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Utterly Disgusting!"

Garbage. If you like reading about mutilating young girls and killing innocent women by the main character then go ahead. Author justifies the killings of innocent people as collateral damage by a brainwashed monolog seeding thoughts of hate in the mind of the reader. I wonder how many Americans would associate themselves with such a behavior. No wonder there are some many suicide killers in American schools lately. I wouldn't be surprised if they have been inspired by authors like Brent Weeks. The author should be ashamed of himself.

Judging the literary quality I can say it's just average, just exploiting contemporary lust for such literature. Besides that it is boring, there is no humor, no thrill, but it's rich with descriptions of mutilations and killings. The plot is flat. Also the naming system of characters and geography is so unnatural that it is confusing. You would need a glossary in order not to get lost in all those names. If you would like to read about thieves, magic and dark places read a masterpiece like Konias Trilogy by Miroslav Zamboch.

The narrative is ok, listenable, though the narrator tends to be over expressive.

4 of 16 people found this review helpful

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